Norwegian record Ling: 46.7 kg

About Ling

The ling (Molva molva) is the longest member of the cod order and a prize catch in deep water. It has a long, slender, almost eel-like body, a small head, a large mouth armed with strong teeth and an obvious chin barbel. There are two dorsal fins, a short one at the front and a very long one behind. It is brownish or olive grey with pale-edged fins. Ling live in the north-east Atlantic from Biscay up to Iceland and into the south-western Barents Sea, and in Norway along the entire coast and in deep fjords. They prefer rocky bottom and boulder fields, mostly at 100 to 400 m, though they turn up from about 60 m to 1,000 m. Ling are predators of fish, squid and large crustaceans. They can reach around 2 m and more than 30 kg. Anglers use heavy jigs or big fish baits over drop-offs and rough ground. Norwegian Red List 2021: Least Concern (LC).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Saltvann
• Best month: Juli
• Red list status: LC (2021)

See the species guide

Biggest Ling in FishComp

28.5 kg (61 % of the record) by Frode Lothe. See the catch

How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.